AVIC Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation Y-15 (ex-Y-30) turboprop transport aircraft

[Grey Havoc]

http://aviationweek.com/defense/new-chinese-airlifter-could-enter-service-2020s

Chinese airlifter revealed by Avic this week will go into service in the 2020s if the factory behind the project, Shaanxi Aircraft, is given a go-ahead.

The program is at the stage of concept design, say Chinese industry officials. It should be launched into full-scale development in about two years, they add. If it is, and if development is smooth, a first flight could take place in 2020.

The air force does want such an aircraft, the officials say, expecting the type to become China’s main airlifter. The Global Times identifies the aircraft as the previously reported Y-30.

The Y-30 would have almost the same gross weight as the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules, about 80 metric tons (176,000 lb.), but payload is intended to be 30 tons, compared with 19.6 tons of the U.S. aircraft. The type has apparently grown during the studies, since Avic has previously mentioned plans for a transport aircraft of about 60 tons gross weight.

As displayed in model form at Airshow China at Zhuhai this week, the aircraft has four turboprop engines, but many conceptual designs are under consideration, some with turbofan propulsion. An option for the turboprop is the WJ-16 engine, which is a new engine at an unknown stage of development and is supposed to generate 3,782 kW (5,072 hp.).

If jet propulsion is chosen there would be two engines, so the aircraft would be quite comparable in configuration to the Embraer KC-390. The officials did not name the possible jet engine, but the likely candidate is the WS-20 engine under development for the much larger Y-20 heavy transport, the design gross weight of which is more than 200 tons.

The WS-20 in its current form is not at all a advanced engine, say other industry officials.

The maximum speed of the Y-30 will be 600-700 kph (370-440 mph.) and the range with payload will be 6,000-7,000 km.

Materials cannot be chosen at this early stage, but but some composites will be used.

 

[Triton]

Model of Shaanxi Y-30 concept on display at Zhuhai Airshow 2014.

Source:
http://aviationweek.com/site-files/aviationweek.com/files/uploads/2014/11/avicmediumairlifter-bradperrett_0.jpg

 

[Triton]

Model of Shaanxi Y-30 concept on display at Zhuhai Airshow 2014.

Source:
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1051618.html

 

[Triton]

Source:
http://miragec14.blogspot.com/2014/11/new-chinese-airlifter-y-30-could-enter.html

 

[Erdosain]

Any news about this project?

 

[Jason Dykstra (Wyvern)]

Why would they need such a project when they already have such transport aircraft like the Y-9 already in production?

 

[Grey Havoc]

Longer range, and bigger usable payload, at least in theory, I believe.

 

[Deino]

Why would they need such a project when they already have such transport aircraft like the Y-9 already in production?

Since it is a very different class

 

[Jason Dykstra (Wyvern)]

So the Y-9 would fall into the C-130 class, whereas the Y-30 would fall into the A400 class?

 

[Erdosain]

So the Y-9 would fall into the C-130 class, whereas the Y-30 would fall into the A400 class?

Yes, and I remember reading that the Y-30 was a response to the dissatisfaction of the Chinese military with the Y-9

 

[TwoTribes]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2000820969485820350

View: https://x.com/WZZJWZ/status/2000820969485820350?s=20

 

[lancer21]

AI enhanced image.

 

[Deino]

Long expected and as it seems, we have our first Chinese Christmas surprise … according to several news reports and even short video footage, the Y-30 performed its maiden flight today.

 

[Trident]

Interesting... Y-8/C-130-style straight wing.

 

[Rumil]

A prominent and credible Chinese blogger calls it Y-15, so mods should change the title.

Y-30 should be for Y-20's successor which this aircraft clearly is not.
Also another model that was not posted yet.

 

[Blitzo]

A prominent and credible Chinese blogger calls it Y-15, so mods should change the title.

Y-30 should be for Y-20's successor which this aircraft clearly is not.
Also another model that was not posted yet.

View attachment 795341

The name itself doesn't necessarily have any meaning as to their weight class.

Y-30 for all we know can end up being an even lighter transport aircraft.

The fact that Y-30 was on the tail of the model of the aircraft at Zhuhai years ago clearly means it was considered as its name for a while before it was changed to Y-15 at some point

 

[Rumil]

The name itself doesn't necessarily have any meaning as to their weight class.

I think it does, increasing MTOW order for medium airlifters
Y-8 < Y-9 < Y-15

Y-20 is completely different class, also AVIC is not exactly known for accurately depicting models and their designations at airshows so not surprised there.

 

[alberchico]

I'm shocked this project has seen the light of day, I assumed the stumbling block was the lack of a suitable engine. Won't this aircraft be a bit underpowered if they use the same powerplant as the Y-9, or is there a new more powerful engine available ?

 

[Tomboy]

I'm shocked this project has seen the light of day, I assumed the stumbling block was the lack of a suitable engine. Won't this aircraft be a bit underpowered if they use the same powerplant as the Y-9, or is there a new more powerful engine available ?

It's using WJ-10s, which have models rating from 3800kW to 5000kW

 

[CJGibson]

That's a fine looking machine.

Chris

 

[flateric]

From Huitong

Transport & Tanker

China Air Force

chinese-military-aviation.blogspot.com

It was rumored in May 2023 that the development of the next generation medium transport aircraft in the same class of American C-130J resumed at SAC, 9 years after an initial model was unveiled at the 2014 Zhuhai Airshow as Y-30. A new 4,000-5,000kw class turboprop engine (WJ-10?) was tested onboard a Y-8C engine testbed in mid-2024. The latest video indicated that Y-15 #15001 prototype conducted its maiden flight on December 16, 2025. The aircraft appears similar to Airbus A400M in design but smaller. Y-15 features a wide fuselage, T-tail, four WJ-10 turboprops with six-blade high-efficiency propellers plus winglets to reduce drag. An IFR probe on top of the cockpit is expected to fitted in the future to extend its range. Compared to Y-9, Y-15 is thought to possess a larger internal cargo space, a bigger wing area, shorter take-off and landing distances, better low-speed and high altitude performances. The aircraft is expected to replace Y-9 medium transport and also become the platform of the new generation of High New special purpose aircraft.

- Last Updated 12/16/25

 

[Erdosain]

Is it ultimately called the Y-15 or the Y-30?

This comparison is very interesting. The wing, engines, and propellers clearly have nothing to do with the A400.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2001187851803795457

View: https://x.com/RupprechtDeino/status/2001187851803795457